In the wake of Hurricane Helene, residents of North Carolina face a desperate fight for survival as essential resources—water, power, and communication—become increasingly scarce. Five days after the hurricane, communities are left to fend for themselves, with many still without access to basic necessities.
A desperate search for supplies
In Fairview, a town just outside Asheville, residents scramble to find essential supplies. With power outages and unreliable cell service, communication has become a major challenge, leaving people unable to coordinate with loved ones or emergency services. Retired police officer Steve Antle describes the tense atmosphere: “People are afraid. There’s no power, no traffic signals, and not enough officers. It’s a free-for-all, and looting has already started.”
Flooding and mudslides have devastated the area, with many homes destroyed. Residents are driving from store to store, searching for gasoline, food, and water. Temporary cell towers have been set up in some areas, but outside of those zones, communication remains difficult.
The human toll of Helene
The human cost of the storm has been staggering. James LaTrella, who lost his home when two large oak trees fell through the roof, described the devastation as shocking. “I felt sick to my stomach when I saw it. The storm was like nothing this area has seen before,” LaTrella said. The hurricane has already claimed 133 lives across the Southeast, and the number is expected to rise as recovery teams work to locate more victims. More than 1,000 people in Buncombe County alone are still unaccounted for.
The federal response: too little, too late?
Although the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) arrived on Monday following President Biden’s approval of federal aid, many residents say they have yet to see federal assistance in their communities. “I haven’t seen anyone from the federal government except for the Army helicopters,” one local said. While state resources and volunteer organizations have stepped in, the lack of immediate federal support has left many feeling abandoned.
Rhiannon Thomas, a Fairview resident, expressed relief that she still had some gasoline and insulin for her diabetic daughter. With the power still out, keeping the insulin cold has become a challenge, with residents relying on bags of ice from the local grocery store.
Communities come together, but challenges persist
Despite the challenges, communities across Western North Carolina are pulling together. Residents have formed long lines at gas stations, hoping power will return to pump fuel. In some cases, drivers cheered when electricity was restored, but shortages remain widespread. Grocery stores are either closed or operating on cash-only systems, and donation centers have sprung up to provide food and water to those in need.
However, many residents remain unaware of where to find help, relying solely on word of mouth. Road closures due to flooding have further complicated relief efforts. With the mountainous terrain severely damaged, volunteer organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and Cajun Navy 2016 have been navigating treacherous roads to deliver supplies.
Scenes of destruction across the region
Hurricane Helene’s impact has been felt far beyond Fairview. In towns like Swannanoa, Black Mountain, and Boone, residents are trapped in their homes, unable to reach help. Roads have been washed away, leaving no access for emergency vehicles. In other areas, the sight of corpses floating in the floodwaters has become a grim reminder of the hurricane’s devastation.
One local brewer, John Nazarovitch, showed the aftermath to reporters, pointing out large pieces of metal from a house that had been carried downriver by the storm. “The flood even reached our taproom, destroying much of the equipment inside,” he said.
Businesses and tourism hit hard
The economic impact of Hurricane Helene is just beginning to be felt. September through November is peak tourism season in the Appalachian region, with visitors flocking to see the fall foliage, go hiking, and attend weddings. Now, many resorts and bed-and-breakfasts have been destroyed, leaving the local economy reeling.
Melina Daniels, who owns the Common Good Co. store in Boone, said that while her property had escaped major damage, her business has come to a standstill. “Helene has been the most catastrophic natural disaster our community has faced. While we still don’t have power or water, we believe this will bring us together,” Daniels shared. Her store has been donating bread, candles, and other supplies to families who have lost everything.
Fact check
- Hurricane Helene has left more than 133 people dead across the Southeast, and recovery efforts are ongoing.
- More than 1,000 people in Buncombe County, NC remain unaccounted for, and the number is expected to rise as authorities continue their search.
- FEMA has deployed resources to the region, but locals report limited federal presence, with state and volunteer organizations providing much of the aid.
- Many towns in western North Carolina are without power or water, making recovery efforts challenging for both residents and emergency teams.
Conclusion: The road to recovery
Hurricane Helene has left a lasting impact on North Carolina and beyond, not only through the destruction of homes and businesses but also in the way it has tested the resilience of communities. While federal aid has been slow to arrive, the strength of local support and volunteer efforts is clear.
About Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian humanitarian organization based in Boone, North Carolina. They specialize in disaster relief efforts and have been instrumental in providing aid to the communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. Founded in 1970 by Franklin Graham, the organization works worldwide, delivering emergency relief to those affected by natural disasters.
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